Don't let the nurse practioner put you off again. When you call this week, I would suggest telling her you don't seeany real change in the sensitivity in your arm and you aren't comfortable waiting any longer to have the blocks.

(This should be a series of 3, spaced a few days to a week apart, but different Drs do it differently. Try to get them no further than a week apart if possible. The anesthesia provides roughly 4-6 hours of relief - anything OVER that amount of time, say you go 24 hours without the burning pain, is both confirmation of RSD/CRPS AND a successful block, i.e., it worked for you. Hopefully, each block will give you longer-lasting relief).

There is a limited window of time to get the blocks in order for a remission to take place, or failing that, to have the best results. If the nurse practioner still tries to counsel you to wait, hold firm and remember it's YOU that will have to deal with the consequences, NOT her! Simply keep repeating, "I'd like to schedule the blocks today, can you do that for me?" No matter what she says, stay calm, say you understand, then repeat, "I'd like to schedule....
If/when she says no, simply ask, "Fine, then who do I need to speak with?"
Repeat till she realizes you are not going away.

I've found that medical personnel are often reluctant to actually treat RSD patients, they don't know much about RSD and a fair number of RSD patients are involved with litigation, and they really don't want to touch us. But RSD HAS to be treated early and aggressively in order for you to avoid developing the severe pain and disability that are the hallmarks of this condition. Like TOS, we have to be the ones to stand up for ourselves, do the research and educate the medical staff unfortunately; however, once you get to a Pain Mgmnt Dr or Anesthesiologist who is does these blocks, they are usually, but not always, fairly well informed about RSD. The Drs I saw at my local pain clinic were great at giving blocks, but I'm not sure when they last attended a conference session or read any new journal articles on RSD - they see a lot more back pain patients than someone with RSD and TOS, that's for sure!

OK, so if you don't have RSD, then you've lost nothing by trying the blocks. But either way, you'll sleep better by knowing one way or the other and taking some action, right? Pretty sure the nurse practitioner isn't losing any sleep over this

It's sunny and supposed to hit 70 today, after weeks of either cold, rain or both - and I didn't sleep at all last night so I'm heading back to bed...figures!
Hope you have some high spots and humorous moments this week!

beth

Hi Beth,
I know what you are saying and I know I need to get the block done. The sensitivity in my arm is the same if not increased again. I've been taking Lyrica now for 11 days with no change. I also am getting joint pain in my elbow and wrist and it feels as though I have pulled a muscle in the joint area of my right elbow (this is intermittent but continuing) with some mild swelling in my forearm. I'll be calling the Dr soon to discuss the block. for your help..
Many Hugs
Dawn




Then Today has just been a really sucky day. I woke up with a migraine. I took my meds... No Relief Then I had to go to my PCP who told me that my fatigue was caused from not participating in activities. Ok, Granted I stay in allot but there is no way I can get out and walk around the mall for 4 hours which she implied I should be able to do among other things.. Gee, my Bipartite sciatic wouldn't allow that even if I wanted to. Then came her lectures. She said "Well the ball is in your court Dawn" either you can decide that life is good or you can go about it as it is and stay in your house and have low energie and be depressed. I just looked at her.. and thought where in the heck did this come from... If anyone wants to get out and get there life back it's me...No offence, I know everyone wants there life back...It's just a figure of speech. So you can imagine my Migraine was worse when I left the doctors office. So I took my second pill for my migraine and finally it went away. But now I am feeling like a truck ran over me and I get dizzy just sitting at the desk.
Well, I just want to go and take a pain pill and veg out on the couch.. But then again.. Maybe I should just get out of the house and go walk around the mall for 4 hours... What are these Dr's thinking sometimes.. Oh, wait a minute.. They don't think...

Ahhh, I feel a little better now that I vented that...

Thanks for listening...
Hugs to all
Dawn

I am so sorry about the RSD stuff happening again! And for your lousy doctor's visit today. I think I'd be looking for a new doc! That was very rude and insensitive...

I do hope you can get some treatment for the RSD quickly, and get it stopped before it really gets going. And please know that WE, at least, understand what TOS is like!

thank JO for the information about MSM!! You are great!

Iwish dawn a better day today!!!

Barbara

Hmmm I would think the same too - Dr is not fully on your side or not fully understanding of the TOS/RSD & sciatica situation.
In other words maybe you are beyond her scope of care now??

She could have suggested a starting with a short walks 2x a day if anything.
Just sitting outside in the sunshine and listen to the birds and sounds of spring makes me feel invigorated.

If she thinks you are depressed has she suggested an anti depressant?
Sometimes those help the pain meds work better also.

But then again if you like her generally - maybe she was just having a bad day.

***************
beth -It's great to see a post from you - your first hand know how, and encouragement, on the RSD stuff is really appreciated.

***********
barb- Thanks -I hope some of that info is helpful.

Just can't seem to get ahead. I had a good friend call me and tell me that she is moving to AZ in a couple of weeks. It seems as though all of my close friends that live near by are moving away.

Anyways... Enough of That...

Jo, I agree that my condition may be beyond my Primary Care Dr's scope of practice at this time. She is my Primary and I do see her for general check ups or if I get a cold etc. She did prescribe an anti-depressant for me and has been adjusting that. I had hoped she would suggest that I see a chronic pain counselor but as you said I think it is beyond her scope. I don't think that she does fully understand the TOS/RSD/Sciatic thing... and you know how Dr's are they just hate to admit that they don't know... I guess I just need to take this portion of it and tell her I am moving on to a councilor once I find a good one. It just seems like chronic pain councilors are few and far in between. I do think it was a bad day for her as she is generally a fairly good Dr.
She has nothing to do with my TOS/? RSD or Sciatic my Neuro takes care of all of that.

Donna, Thanks for the great support . I do hope that your RSD pain is staying at the lowest level at this time and that you are able to get it taken care of ASAP.

Barbara, I do hope you have a pain free day.

I'm going to head to the pool now that summer is here. That always seems to help...

Oh, and then... My Ortho surgeon P&S'd me with my spinal fusion so now my checks have stopped... Back to just hubbys income... Come on Social Security I'm depending on you... I'm still waiting on my hearing date with the ALJ. Then I got a notice that I have to go to Jury Duty. I just want to run away

Well, I think I have complained enough for a day. If my meds allowed it I would have a glass of wine and veg out.
But I can't so instead of that I am going to indulge in a HUGE Gallon of Cookies and Cream Ice Cream I don't care about the pounds at this time...

I hope everyone has a wonderful night...
Hugs to all
Dawn

Dawn,
I'm sorry to hear what all you've been having to deal with right now. The icecream idea is a good one- enjoy some for me!

for jury duty - if you aren't physically able {to sit long times or attend a possible long trial} I 'm pretty sure you can be excused. {with a drs note.}

Today I... am just passing thru to say Hi and say I am still alive and hope that everyones problems become mild and that ALL have a pain-free day !!!!!!!!!!

Mark-n-Goober

am full of energy: I will enjoy a 4 day long weekend....this makes me happy.
Therefore I wish a happy easter holiday to all my dear TOS-friends!

Sunny greeting,
Barbara